Leonard Tompkins was a great mentor. I had a ton to learn when I worked for him, and he taught me well, even though he made it hard on me. He’d give...
Why you lose when you let AI write for you.
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Better Writing
When I was in school, I learned that Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. The truth is more nuanced and more interesting.
By June of 1776, the Continental Congress had been wrangling with England for years over issues usually called “taxation without representation.” On...
Creativity: Why You Need a Process More Than Magic
In Star Wars, Obi-Wan Kenobi tells young Luke that “The Force is what gives a Jedi his power.” That’s great stuff, but it’s Star Wars and not your...
Not All Feedback is Created Equal
When you’re writing a book, you’ll get feedback whether you want it or not. Well-meaning friends and relatives will offer comments that they intend...
The Secret to Creative Fire? Gather the Fuel Before You Strike the Match
You can’t build a campfire without fuel. You can’t build a creative fire without fuel, either. To build a campfire, you don’t need just matches, a...
Idea Alchemy: Improve Your Writing With the 5 Cs
Writing is the art of wrestling the angels of meaning onto a page. Good ideas help you do that better. Here’s a simple way to get more good ideas...
Write To Please Your Reader, Not Your Old English Teacher
I love my English teachers! They introduced me to literature and the wide world of reading. They taught me the basics of writing and forced me to...
Procrastinate Like a Pro for Creativity and Stress Relief
Everyone seems to think that procrastination is a bad thing. But there are two kinds of procrastination. Psychologists call one “escapism.” That can...
Make Imposter Syndrome Work for You
I have a confession to make. Sometimes, I pretend to be a writer. When I was first working for myself, I used several tricks to get my work done....
Develop Writing Habits That Work for You
Every human being is unique. Authors are human beings. Therefore, every author is unique. One of your challenges is to develop a unique way of...